History of UD Lanzarote

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Unión Deportiva Lanzarote was born in August 1970. The club was formed to represent Lanzarote outside of the island. In its infancy the team played on picón (volcanic granules) but has now moved on to FIFA approved artificial grass.

In their first competitive season 1970-71, the team won the Championship of the Segunda Regional Insular (regional 2nd division) and for many years battled through Island and Canarian leagues until making their debut in the 3rd division in 1980. In their first season in this division the Conejeros (locals) finished in 5th position and also had their first taste of the Copa Del Rey (F.A. Cup). The Rojillos (reds) drew 0-0 at home with Las Palmas though were ripped apart 5-0 in the second leg.

The 1998-99 season saw U.D. Lanzarote end the campaign in 3rd position and were promoted for the first time in the clubs history to Segunda Div B (league 1) which is the third league in Spanish football. It was a whistle-stop visit to La Liga Bronce (bronze league), as it is known, for the team from the Island of Volcanoes as they were relegated in their first year.

This setback proved to be a blessing in disguise – from the season 2000-01 U.D. Lanzarote were going to be a team that would be recognized and respected by mainland Spanish clubs. The first season back in Segunda Div B, the Rojillos finished in 8th place and qualified for the Copa Del Rey.Lanzarote´s love affair with the Cup began against Primera Liga side Tenerife. Local legend Maciot bagged a hat trick as the red army inflicted the worst defeat suffered by Tenerife in their clubs history. The game ended 5-1 in front of 5000 astonished Lanzarote supporters.

Lanzarote v Real Madrid

The reward for this remarkable feat was a dream come true for any football fan – a date with one of the most famous clubs in world football, Real Madrid, with stars such as Zidane, Figo, Makelele and even Steve McManaman who arrived to star in U.D. Lanzarote´s grandest game ever.

In front of a full house Vicente Del Bosque´s Galacticos took the lead on the half hour but shortly before half time local boy and part time waiter Oscar Vladamir equalized and secured his place in local football history. Guti and Pavón scored in the second half as the team from Madrid ran out 3-1 winners.

Lanzarote rose from strength to strength and the following season (2002-03) finished the campaign in 3rd place and for the first time competed in the play-off to reach Spains Silver league, Segunda A (championship).

The President Estanislao García with manager José Luis Mendilibar who later moved on and managed Athletic Club Bilbao led their team in the Copa Del Rey against Atlético Madrid. A late Fernando Torres strike sealed a 2-1 victory for the Primera Liga side.

The 2003-04 season has been Lanzarote´s finest, ending the season as Champions though once more failing to clinch promotion in the play-offs. That season probably saw Lanzarote´s best ever performance against Primera Liga giants Sevilla in the Cup. The game was held in Gran Canaria as the Sevilla manager, Joaquín Caparrós, refused to play on Lanzarote´s artificial grass. Over 5000 Lanzarote supporters watched the Conejeros perform valiantly and a cross from José Antonio Reyes and a finish from Julio Baptista was the only difference between the sides securing a 1-0 victory for Caparrós´s men.

The Cup dream incredibly got better the following season as Lanzarote completed a 2-1 victory over Hector Cupers Mallorca side.

Athletic Club Bilbao was the next Primera Liga side to taste Lanzarote´s thirst for the Cup and went down to the same scoreline in Lanzarote. However, in the return leg at the Sam Mamés stadium in Bilbao, the Basque team made no mistake and broke the hearts of the Conejeros dream of reaching the quarter finals with a 6-0 thumping.

Since 2004, Lanzarote have finished in 13th and 11th positions respectively and therefore did not qualify for the Copa Del Rey.

The 2006-07 the Rojillos found themselves in a season long relegation battle and were 2nd from bottom at the turn of the year. With on loan signing Fredrik Söderström joining the club on transfer deadline day his wealth of experience guided the club to safety. With his 12 international caps and his time spent with Jose Mourinho at Porto proved invaluable and Lanzarote finished a comfortable 12th.